29 Nov 2018 21:39:49
Read that Jardim is interested in Southampton job but that our player recruitment policy is deterring him. Maybe if we got the new DoF first (one who will get us back on track a bit), then he'll want to join.

SaintUS

1.) 01 Dec 2018 03:56:29
Just need to get some one in and fast 2nd from bottom now with a tough couple of weeks dontbreally want to separate from the pack to much.

06 Sep 2018 01:01:59
What's your realistic prediction for winter break and final season position? I think around the winter break, we will be 8 - 14 place and come the end of the season we will be finishing around 10th position (maybe even challenge for 7th and 8th place) . Feel it might be a little optimistic but I think we can do it.

Not sure if mark Hughes is the way to go and say we are in the relegation zone come winter break, should we stay with Hughes or get a new coach? Who would take over as manager?

I see us taking 3 points vs Brighton which would be nice to gain momentum for upcoming games.

SaintUS

1.) 06 Sep 2018 12:22:09
Hmm not entirely sure. hopefully top half both times but.
yeah agree with the Hughes point.
yep hopefully three points against BHA, but there a decent side and cannot be written off. seem to like beating man u so.

2.) 06 Sep 2018 13:25:21
I have to let my head rule my heart and say that I think we will finish the season around 13th or 14th place. Not sure about MH but we have to give him a run until Christmas and if we're in bottom 6 look for someone else but that makes it awkward for the January transfer window having someone new that doesn't know the players or what positions that need strengthening. Also depends on who is available to come in and take over. With our recent record of manager ins and outs a lot of managers wouldn't even look at us.

3.) 07 Sep 2018 12:49:42
Its still very early days but I think we'll eventually finish somewhere between 10 and 15. We'll see the trend of the top 7 or 8 being streets ahead of the second tier teams who duke it out with each other in what will be a tight finish.

I don't think Mark Hughes will go unless we are playing terribly and back in the relegation zone with no hope of turning things around. He will likely get more time than the previous two managers as the board seem to rate his experience.

By the winter break we'll see the league taking shape in its two tier structure, but spots between 9 and 18 will probably be separated by no more than about 10 points. We'll be in that mix somewhere but I only see us picking up around 15 points between now and then.

I think we have made a reasonable start to the season nothing earth shattering but fair. I think the key to improving is to cut down on the stupid sloppy mistakes e. g. Everton away last year 3 points instead of 1. I was encouraged against Crystal Palace admittedly without Zaha but to score 2 goals and keep a clean sheet shows promise. I understand people's reservations about MH but last season there were not many managerial choices and I was encouraged by our transfer dealings, it looks like Danny Ings could be our missing link as long as he stays fit. I
also believe this club needs a season of relative stability where we are comfortable league wise hopefully providing the platform for good cup runs and no more nailbiting finishes. I
haven't seen too much of our football this season and let's hope MH doesn't tinker too much with the formation. As figo wrote there are few points covering many places in this league and the ability to cut out sloppy mistakes, lapses in concentration ( how a player cannot concentrate for 90 minutes baffles me? ) can make all the difference between a good and mediocre season. don't forget we also had a new owner at Xmas, I think the first 4 games have been an eye opener who would have credited Watford and Bournemouth being at or near the top of the table, it just shows what can be achieved with a modest budget, and good training and motivated players. We all know this league is a marathon not a sprint but I am optimistic we can have a good season playing entertaining football and looking forward to Saturdays. Regards vs coyr.

6.) 12 Sep 2018 12:49:47
We all get very optimistic don't we after 1 victory!
I would be delighted with a top 10 finish/ if we finish with more than 50 points.
However, I can't see this happening. We now struggle to get regular victories. And I think all other teams around us are as good as us if not better, with the transfer market being what it is it has allowed other teams in the bottom half to strengthen their squad. The likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, Watford, Newcastle are all at the same level as us. Because of this the premier is so much tighter, 2 seasons ago we finished 8th but only 6 points off Watford who finished 17th.
A few seasons ago I would have said we were the best team outside the big 6, now I just can't get behind that statement.

I think we’re good enough to be just below Everton (assuming they have the season they ‘should have’) in the top 10 - between 8th and 10th (so 9th then! )

It’s a bit of a dog eat dog division though isn’t it. One moment you could be looking like a lost cause and heading down down deeper and down, the next could be one little spark to change the status quo and pick up a few wins or points and go right up the league table and be hanging around just outside the big boys. Alongside Arsenal then!

I won’t rule out relegation for the Saints But I’d also not rule out use finishing top six or seven. No idea, and that’s part of the ‘beauty’ of the Premier League. The beautiful game and all that

Keep Hughes. I like him as a man and as a manager. I liked him loads as a player too. Think he’s starting to find his best team - although it’s often at the expense of my fave players (What a goal Steven Davis scored for Northern Ireland the other day, quaaaaality player) but yeah. Backing Hughes all the way.

Three points against Brighton would confirm my enthusiasm. Defeat may just curb it.

8.) 14 Sep 2018 17:54:22
Wow, I am loving some of the positivity - I want some. I don’t rate Hughes but would take him happily over MP2 but not CP, Koeman or of course MP1. I’ve been of the same opinion in the 12 games or so he has managed and although too early to fully judge, I have not seen a recent signing that could develop into a great player and high sale. This is supposed to be our module, or so I thought.

Honestly speaking I am struggling to see past 14th. I think we can feel somewhat fortunate to be on 4 points, although I missed the Everton game.

10.) 15 Sep 2018 14:14:33
It's very hard to judge, but between 11-14th is what I expect. Looking at the players we have by position, it's false to believe that Newcastle, Watford, Bournemouth etc are at our standard; the bench however is a different matter.
Hughes isn't a bad coach and he has clearly tried to improve upon his coaching weaknesses: being vocal during the game, creating stronger relationships with the players and developing other systems. I think that we can progress under him to the level we were just before Poch came in - with a core of young, hungry English players (Targett, Sims, Jones, Slattery, Obafemi (Irish, yes) and others) that can emulate that promotion team. But in the longer term we need someone more dynamic, I like Giovanni van Bronckhorst of Feyenoord, so that we can return to European heights.

3.) 21 Jan 2018 11:22:52
Marco Silva just been sacked by Watford, personally wanted him at the start of the season as what a job he did with Hull. MP not good enough in my opinion, would love to see Silva come in.

7.) 21 Jan 2018 12:00:40
Bailey just beat me to this, I was about to raise the Marco Silva conundrum. is Watford have sacked their Portuguese manager Marco Silva, on the back of an 11-game run without a league win which was (probably) caused on by Everton’s pursuit of him in November.

So, assuming Spurs put a heavy defeat on Saints today, this could be a case of “perfect timing” - I doubt he’s be any “worse” than MoPel.

I’d consider it IF we were changing manager. I’d still like to believe Ronald Koeman would be the right choice though.

8.) 21 Jan 2018 12:03:53
How about we win and if the board want a change to silva they do that and we get 3 points. A win here or there will not change the boards opinion they either want him or don’t. Silva has hardly set the world alight after a good start. Would imagine if Everton want him he will sign and go there when big sams contract end of season is up. Can’t beleive fans want the team to lose to get him out what if that happens we change and go down by 2 points all happy?

10.) 21 Jan 2018 12:37:25
Wonder who Watford would be considering it about to appoint as their replacement for Marco Silva?

This manager merry-go-round gets a bit crazy, the same names or maybe another fresh faced bolt out of the blue. 10th place and something like 5 points above the relegation zone (this is very much a dozen club relegation zone season) - could be an interesting vacancy. One of our own club’s former managers could be in with a shout. I’ve no idea who’s watford would appoint though. A tricky one to bet on!

11.) 21 Jan 2018 13:35:39
Silva did do well at Hull and early on at Watford but he is clearly an ambitious manager who, once courted by a higher tier team, expected Watford to let him go so early into his first season. Everton may have been tempting for him but for goodness sake, show some professionalism and resolve. Watford didn’t owe him such an early exit. He would do exactly the same to us. We may be lucky for longer than Watford in terms of no opportunities coming up at a richer club, but we deserve better. If we were to countenance signing him, it would have to be under the strict assurance from him that he will not consider leaving until his contract is up. But then, we’re back to square one again. Waste of time.

12.) 21 Jan 2018 16:48:41
Those of you saying you want us to lose today, just so you can be proved right about MoPel, should be ashamed. I'm shocked that Saints fans would be like this - surely you all WANT MP to turn it around, no matter how convinced you are he won't. And you claim your opinions on the issue are rational! There's nothing rational about hoping we lose.

Marco Silva's an interesting one. I agree with whoever said he's ambitious, maybe overly so, and if someone comes knocking he'll be off. If it was me interviewing him, I'd want to know how ambitious and where he sees us in this plan. Understandable that if Arsenal come knocking in 1/ 2 years time he'd want to go. If Everton would be enough for him to want out, then I'd say thanks but we'll find someone else.

16.) 22 Jan 2018 15:07:35
Agree it could be a sign that Sessegnon is on the move. I don't think you should read too much into it from our point of view though. Targett is our 3rd choice left back and has likely just been loaned out for game time. We wanted to bring players in before the loan, and I don't think it will make that much more urgent since Targett has barely been used all season.

02 May 2019 18:56:35
Did realize the transfer window opened in about 2 weeks. Think we should sign a fairly young but experience striker, new rb, cb, and sell some midfielders and get someone more experienced.

SaintUS

1.) 02 May 2019 23:54:30
What midfielders would you sell? I think our midfield is our strongest area and the players we have their currently are a great mix of youth, experience and offer different qualities.

I agree a rb, cb and striker are priorities and then it depends who we sell from the loan players and maybe we will add another winger with pace?

Looking forward to it tbh.

One thing I did think of today that worried me though. how long has hojbjerg got left on his contract? If it's anything less than 3 years we need to sign him up on someth8ng long term and probably a wage increase. My favourite player in the squad.

There's also Rowthorn, Smallbone, Hale and Hamblin in the u23's who are about ready for first team football

Hopefully sell Hoedt and Cedric. Like to see Boufal and Carrilo given at least pre season

Decent CB to compete with Yoshida (if we're playing 3 at the back again) and back up RB and we'll be sorted tbh

@Milky
Hojbjerg signed a 5 year in 2016, haven't seen anything since about a renewal so potentially runs out in 2021 - agree it needs extending though, don't think that will be an issue - seems to love it here.

22 Apr 2019 19:04:32
Gareth bale seems to be out of Madrid either permanently or out on loan, maybe we can take him on loan for half or a quarter of his wages and he can say it is as a thank you to Southampton for making him who he is haha. Probably not.

03 Apr 2019 02:22:15
Now that Fulham are confirmed relegated, anyone like their players and maybe if we stay up we should go in for 1 or 2? Thoughts?

SaintUS

1.) 03 Apr 2019 12:48:34
Mitrovic is there best player but I dkntnthinknhed actually suit how Ralph wants to play. I was thinking cairney but to be honest they're whole squad looks terrible. I wouldn't be interested in any of them now. Same with Huddersfield. mooy is there best player but is he better than what we have? No.

Asked a while ago about your predictions for our position around winter break time and although we might go on an unbeaten (all wins) streak, which I highly highly highly highly highly highly highly highly highly highly doubt, we will be more than likely 16-20 place. We are tied, but ahead, with Cardiff with goal difference.

If MH is let go before winter break/ transfer window, when is the best time? The upcoming international break? Right before the window opens?

Also, anyone think cortese (or however his name was spelled) would come back? We did some good stuff with him (although I did read we were spending a little too much for our position) .

How about RK, think he'd be interested in a round 2 with saints? Seems to have us in back of his mind especially when it comes to our appearance in last years carabao cup.

SaintUS

1.) 11 Nov 2018 07:32:13
Wouldn't want Cortese back, it wasn't just that we were 'spending a bit too much' it was that we were spending a stupid amount which was all being covered up by offshore loans - something that has played a part in where we are now

Koeman is apparently interested in coming back - supposedly he was at the man city game and met with the owners briefly. Seems a bit strange though as the Holland job was something he always wanted to do. How much of an upgrade would he be though? Remember winning 1 game between November and January in his last season? That was with Fonte/ VVD/ Wanyama/ Mane/ Pelle and an in form Long in the side.

2.) 11 Nov 2018 11:36:18
Would I have Cortese back. YES
Would I have Norman back. YES
Cortese was forward thinking and we needed to spend in order to establish ourselves in the EPL. Would Cortese come back, not while Kat is still there. Would he get on with Joe an, probably not lol
Koeman to come back, rather him than others being touted. Vastly different proposition now to without the core of the team he had before
Ah well, I can dream
Re game vs Watford, shame Ings wasn't replaced by Obafemi and given a good chance. Good to see Yosh back, like to see Bednarek back in, Sims and Reed to come back too.
Dream on😇.

20 Jan 2019 19:55:24
I agree that with a bit of investment in new players, RH will stay. He seems to like the club and as he has said before he isn't ready for a big club yet. The fans also seem to love him and he appreciates it, even after matches you can see him looking at the travelling fans or at home.

14 Dec 2018 06:49:03
Hence "little more". Of course we aren't fit enough to keep running like that for 75+ minutes. All I'm eluding to is the players seemed to have more of an umph to them for the first half or so of the game.

09 Dec 2018 12:15:36
RH definitely needs to get our CBs more confident. Well all of our players. First part of the game we were running around making chances and what not but boy did we get exposed countless times. Our players seem to be a little more fit but now just sloppy.

06 Apr 2019 17:18:05
Definitely think an experienced defender such as Bertie would have tried to block Salahs shot for the second goal. He was literally right there. Even his leg hairs probably would have been enough.

18 Mar 2019 06:36:55
Been wondering the same thing. Maybe CP has a more "boring" style where the counter attacks aren't always as one would expect? He did well with us until the other teams more or less figured out what out game plan was each game.

SaintUS

{Ed001's Note - do you not think it was just about him lacking charisma? The fans find it difficult to get behind him because of that. People just want their leaders to be charismatic, rather than good at what they do. That is why they vote for big personalities rather than someone who is actually good at being an MP or PM.}